"I, and my two apprentices here, are clerics of Mercutio, as you might have gathered. Our Pilgrimage has brought us here to Eubric, to see the Cathedral of Commerce, The Fountain of Three Gods, and of course this place, the Grove of the Forsaken. Now, I'll get to the point, as you might be aware, tonight is the Night of Success, a holy day, well night actually, dedicated to Mercutio. It is said that he who drinks a rare wine blessed by Mercutio's followers, under the night sky, shall have increased luck for the coming year. Well, let's just say Mercutio's following is... interested in House Shadeaux doing well, if you get my meaning..."

"Sod it, it worked fine against the Orcish Mage, back in Carthago... Perhaps I'm getting old, after all..."

Guts unsheathed his sword, the blade making a sound of cold iron as it escapes it's metal sheath, in the otherwise fairly quiet night, the sound is almost greedy. Guts got in position, and prepared himself to charge at Shadeaux Elite Guard Athos, from the front row, twice.

As the battle against the two guards commences, Guts delivers a flurry of attacks against the one called Athos. First the rogue mugs the guard, dealing a whopping 100 damage and gaining 100 gold from the strike, and then he finishes his opponent off with a critical hit that causes 76 damage. Dak hits the other guard for 21 damage, and Dyric follows by mugging Borthos for 42 damage and an equal amount of gold.

"Kay....that was over quicker than I expected. Thanks for the gold." Seeing the woman, Dak quickly sheaths his knife again and walks behind and slightly off to the right of Dyric, trying to look inconspicuous.

Dyric is visibly shocked. Oh... um... I... uh... no thank you, sir- I mean ma'am- I mean... uh... you see, we're in a terrible rush, and you're not... my... look, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, I really don't. It's just we really need to be at this meeting. Look.... uh... I've got gold. I can compensate you. And if not that, then, uh, one of my friends here will be perfectly willing to go with you. You'd like them better anyways. Just, uh, have you seen anyone else come though here recently? I'm really sorry.

"What?!" the dubious lady growled. "You dare to refuse my genial offer? I don't flaunt my junk in front of just anybody's face, you know? I'm not that kind of a girl. I'll give you the most important lesson a man can learn in life: HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED!!!"

The "lady" flicked "her" fan forcibly, making steel blades protrude from it. "Her" eyes were in flames from rage as "she" rushed towards the rogues.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

Enemy:

Questionable Lady
Type: Humanoid
Level: 12
Health: 161/161
Special: Striptease – Unequips all artefacts from the target. Equipping them back costs a turn.
Drops: Steel Fan (WP:12, suitable to mages and rogues), Trendy Handbag (artefact, protects from whatever negative effect that was most recently inflicted to anyone in a battle)

"What were you saying about diplomacy earlier? I don't go around insulting random 'women' on the street, casanova."

Insult!?! I politely declined her... I mean his... I mean... I politely declines the offer, and was going to offer gold in compensation! Gold! Who can resist that? Besides, at least I didn't try to poison her, and in the most obvious way possible for that matter!

Having no choice but to respond to the "woman's" berserk attack, the rogues draw their weapons. Guts takes the opportunity to mug the drag queen for 51 damage and 51 gold. Both Dyric and Dak then follow up with their own attacks, both dealing 22 damage.

With only one weakened enemy, the battle will the played automatically.

Enemy:

Questionable Lady
Type: Humanoid
Level: 12
Health: 66/161
Special: Striptease – Unequips all artefacts from the target. Equipping them back costs a turn.
Drops: Steel Fan (WP:12, suitable to mages and rogues), Trendy Handbag (artefact, protects from whatever negative effect that was most recently inflicted to anyone in a battle)

Party Leader, please divide the spoils of the battle:Steel Fan - WP:12, suitable to mages and rogues Trendy Handbag (Artefact/Accessory) - Protects from whichever negative effect that was most recently inflicted to anyone in a battle

Upon ransacking the handbag, Guts finds traces of drugs among all the make-up and faux jewelry. It explains the drag queen's erratic behaviour. Maybe they'll run into a dealer in the park at some point...

"Alright, 'her' belongings were worthless, but there are traces of substances the Bonapartes restrict importing, would explain 'her' behaviour. Let's head to the Stone Garden, last place to check out."